Multiple pregnancy usually happens when more than one egg is fertilized. It also can happen when one egg is fertilized and then splits into 2 or more embryos that grow into 2 or more babies. Show When one fertilized egg splits into 2, the babies are called identical twins. They look almost exactly alike and share the exact same genes. When two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm, the babies are called fraternal twins. They don’t share the same genes and are no more alike than any siblings from different pregnancies with the same parents. Singletons, or one baby, are the most common type of pregnancy. However, more people are getting pregnant with multiples now than in the past. This is mostly because more people are having babies later in life, and multiples are more common among parents who are older than 30. Also, more people are using fertility treatments to get pregnant. Multiples are also more common among people who use fertility treatment. How do you know if you’re pregnant with multiples? You may be pregnant with multiples if:
Your provider can use ultrasound to find out for sure if you’re pregnant with multiples. Ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer screen to show a picture of a baby. What kind of prenatal care do you need if you’re pregnant with multiples? If you’re pregnant with multiples, you may need extra medical care during pregnancy, labor and birth. You may need to go to extra prenatal care checkups so your provider can watch you and your babies for problems. You also may need more prenatal tests (such as ultrasounds) to check on your growing babies throughout your pregnancy. If you’ve had pregnancy complications in the past or if you have health conditions that put you at risk for pregnancy complications, your provider may refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. This is a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. High-risk means you’re more likely than most pregnant people to have problems with your pregnancy. If you’re referred to this kind of doctor, it doesn’t mean you’ll have problems during pregnancy. It just means they can check you and your babies more closely to help prevent or treat any conditions that may happen. How can a multiple pregnancy affect your health? The following complications are more common in people who are pregnant with multiples:
How can being pregnant with multiples affect your babies’ health? If you’re pregnant with multiples, your babies are more likely to have health complications, including:
What makes you more likely to get pregnant with multiples? You may be more likely to get pregnant with more than one baby if:
How are multiples born? Vaginal birth is the way most babies are born. During vaginal birth, the uterus contracts to help push the baby out. If you’re pregnant with multiples, you’re more likely to have a cesarean birth (also called c-section) than if you’re pregnant with one baby. During a c-section, the doctor makes a cut in the belly and uterus to remove the baby. Most triplets and higher-order multiples are born by c-section. If you’re pregnant with twins, you may need a c-section if neither baby is in the head-down position or if you have other complications. You may be able to have a vaginal birth if:
Do you need to eat special foods if you’re pregnant with multiples? No. But you do need more of certain nutrients, such as folic acid, protein, iron and calcium. You can get the right amount of these nutrients by eating healthy foods and taking your prenatal vitamin every day. Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins made just for pregnant people. Compared to a regular multivitamin, they have more of some nutrients that you need during pregnancy. Your provider can prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you at your first prenatal care checkup. Even when you’re pregnant with multiples, you only need to take one prenatal vitamin each day. How much weight should you gain if you’re pregnant with multiples? If you’re pregnant with multiples, you need to gain more weight than if you were pregnant with one baby. The amount of weight to gain depends on your weight before pregnancy and how many babies you have. Talk with your provider about how much weight to gain. Here’s what you should know about gaining weight if you’re pregnant with twins:
Do you need to limit physical activity if you’re pregnant with multiples? Talk with your provider about what kind of activities are safe for you to do. You may need to cut out any high-impact activities, such as aerobics or jogging, that make you jump or put stress on your joints. You may be able to do some activities, such as swimming, prenatal yoga or walking. Later in pregnancy, you may need to limit physical activity, including travel and work. Many people who are pregnant with multiples go on bed rest. Bed rest means reducing your activities while you’re pregnant. Bed rest may mean staying in bed all day or just resting a few times each day. How can I increase my chances of conceiving twins?Factors that increase the chance of twins include: consuming high amounts of dairy foods, being over the age of 30, and conceiving while breastfeeding. Many fertility drugs including Clomid, Gonal-F, and Follistim also increase the odds of a twin pregnancy.
What causes pregnancy to have twins?Multiple pregnancy usually happens when more than one egg is fertilized. It also can happen when one egg is fertilized and then splits into 2 or more embryos that grow into 2 or more babies. When one fertilized egg splits into 2, the babies are called identical twins.
How do twins happen naturally?To form identical or monozygotic twins, one fertilised egg (ovum) splits and develops into two babies with exactly the same genetic information. To form fraternal or dizygotic twins, two eggs (ova) are fertilised by two sperm and produce two genetically unique children.
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